Device to count and dispense articles

ABSTRACT

A singulating and counting device includes a bulk housing for storing a plurality of substantially identical articles, an exit channel, and in the exit channel, forwardly- and rearwardly-directed jet apertures, each of which is fluidly connected to a positive pressure source. A forwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the forward jet aperture can accelerate singulated articles in the exit channel, thereby increasing the interval between individual articles and rendering them more easily and accurately counted. A rearwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the rearwardly-directed jet aperture can cause articles in the exit channel to return to the housing. A controller operatively connected with the pressure source(s) selectively controls the application of positive pressure to the aforementioned apertures to induce or halt singulation of the articles; the controller may be operatively associated with a sensor that detects and counts articles passing through the exit channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/306,782, filed Jul. 20, 2001 entitled Device to Count andDispense Articles, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety as if set forth fully herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is directed generally to the dispensing ofobjects, and more particularly to dispensing singulated objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The problem of counting and dispensing a predetermined quantityfrom a bulk of small articles exists for a multitude of items andprocesses. Exemplary items include comestibles such as candies andbreath mints, machine components such as bolts, nuts and otherfasteners, valuables such as diamonds and other gemstones, vitamins, andthe like.

[0004] The problem has been addressed using multiple approaches. Forexample, a cavity-filling device sized to physical particulars of aspecific article is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,941 to Bross. Asanother example, a device that counts total weight using a calibratedpieceweight measurement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,525 toKnothe et al. As an additional example, a device employing a vibratoryfeeder to singulate (and thus enable counting) is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,182,718 to Seaton. As yet another example, a device that employs avacuum to separate and count a fixed, but predetermined number ofobjects is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,302 to Leu et al. Theseveral devices and techniques exemplified above individually providevarying levels of performance in key operational parameters such asspeed, accuracy, universality (adaptability), size, complexity, andcost. But few, if any, provide a high level of measure in more than oneor two of the above parameters. Cavity fillers of the type described inBross are typically bulky and suitable only for articles that closelymatch the cavity size. Vibratory counters like that disclosed in Seatonare ordinarily bulky and can be difficult to tune (i.e., configure).Weight counters like that described in Knothe can be inaccurate due topiece-weight variability. Vacuum-based systems such as that shown in Leuet al. are typically complex, slow and difficult to calibrate.

[0005] In view of the foregoing, a singulating device which is fast,accurate, small, easy to configure, reliable, and nearly universal wouldbe desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to devices and methods forrapidly and accurately counting and dispensing a predetermined quantityof articles from a bulk supply of such articles. The devices include abulk housing for storing a plurality of substantially identical articlesand an exit channel. As a first aspect, a device of the presentinvention also includes, in the exit channel, a forwardly-directed jetaperture and a rearwardly-directed jet aperture, each of which isfluidly connected to a positive pressure source. A forwardly-directedjet generated by the positive pressure source through the forward jetaperture can accelerate singulated articles in the exit channel, therebyincreasing the interval between individual articles and rendering themmore easily and accurately counted. A rearwardly-directed jet generatedby the positive pressure source through the rearwardly-directed jetaperture can cause articles in the exit channel to return to thehousing. A controller operatively connected with the pressure source(s)selectively controls the application of positive pressure to theaforementioned apertures to induce or halt singulation of the articles;the controller may be operatively associated with a sensor that detectsand counts articles passing through the exit channel.

[0007] As a second aspect of the invention, a singulating device havinga bulk housing and an exit channel includes a jet aperture positionedacross the bulk housing from the exit channel. The jet nozzle is fluidlyconnected with a positive pressure source, which in turn is connectedwith a controller that selectively controls the application of positivepressure through the jet aperture. This configuration can produce a jetthat urges articles in the housing to travel toward the exit channel.

[0008] As a third aspect of the present invention, a singulating devicehaving a bulk housing and an exit channel includes an article-orientingunit that has a pair of panels that, in concert with an upstream portionof the exit channel, define an entry space that permits an oblong oroblate article to enter the exit channel only in a longitudinalorientation in which the longest dimension of the article is generallyparallel to a downstream flow path. The upstream ends of the panelsextend upstream away from the exit channel and are spaced such that anoblong or oblate article entering the entry space in a transverseorientation in which its longest dimension is generally perpendicular tothe downstream flow path that strikes the exit channel's upstreamportion and is re-oriented to the longitudinal orientation in whichpassage through the exit channel is permitted. In one embodiment, thepanels are parallel with one another, and the articles are reorientedwhen striking either exposed edge of the exit channel upstream portion.In a second embodiment, a third panel perpendicular to the first twopanels is included, such that the entry space is generally rectangular.In a third embodiment, the panels are hinged to one another and pivotabout a pivot axis that is parallel to the direction of flow, such thatthe entry space (which is adjustable) is generally triangular. In any ofthese embodiments, the function of the panels is to orient the objectsinto a desired attitude for entry into the exit channel.

[0009] In singulating devices with these aspects of the invention,individual articles can enter the exit channel from the housing andtravel through the exit channel in single file and with an intervalsufficient to allow accurate detection and precise counting of thearticles. The pneumatic, reversible nature of the device can enable thehandling of a large range of sizes and shapes with a single deviceconfiguration. Furthermore, this same feature allows simple adjustmentsto be applied to handle an even broader range of sizes. The ability tocontrol the various airflows permits the mechanism to be implemented ina volume not significantly larger than a small portion of the bottom ofa bulk storage chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the singulatingand counting device of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 3A is a side section view of the device of FIG. 1 showingboth the forward jet valve and the rear jet valve closed.

[0013]FIG. 3B is a side section view of the device of FIG. 1 showing theforward jet valve open and the rear jet valve closed.

[0014]FIG. 3C is a side section view of the device of FIG. 1 showing theforward jet valve closed and the rear jet valve open.

[0015] FIGS. 4A-4C are front, top and side views of an exemplary articleto be singulated with the device of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIGS. 5A-5C are end section views of the article-orienting unitof the device of FIG. 1 showing how the unit admits passage of aproperly longitudinally-oriented article (FIG. 5A), prevents passage ofa horizontal, transversely-oriented article (FIG. 5B), and re-orients avertical, transversely-oriented article for proper entry into the exitchannel (FIG. 5C).

[0017]FIGS. 6A and 6B are end section views of an alternative embodimentof an article-orienting unit according to the present invention thatenables the size of the opening therein to be adjusted.

[0018]FIGS. 7A and 7B are end section views of another embodiment of anarticle-orienting unit according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of singulatingarticles according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may beexaggerated for clarity.

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, a singulating device, illustratedbroadly at 10, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The device 10 includes abulk article housing 11 in which a plurality of small articles A aresuspended in fluidized motion. The housing 11 includes a surroundingwall 12, a floor 13, and a ceiling 14. The wall 12 may be continuous orsegmented (i.e., it may comprise multiple contiguous walls), may have adoor 12 a filling for access for articles A, and is preferablytransparent to allow visual access to the articles A contained therein.Similarly, the floor 13 and ceiling 14 may smoothly merge with the wall12 or may form distinct corners therewith. Those skilled in this artwill recognize that housings of many shapes and configurations may besuitable for use with the present invention.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the floor 13 includes a screen 15or other foraminous member that allows air passage into the housing 11but not passage of the articles A out. Similarly, the ceiling 14includes a screen 16 or other foraminous member that functions to keeparticles A in, but allow air passage; in this instance the air flows outof the housing 11. A blower 17 or other device for inducing airflow isattached to a low pressure plenum 17 a mounted above the screen 16. Theblower 17 is included to create a negative pressure differential withrespect to ambient air pressure by drawing air from outside the housingthrough the screen 15, into the cavity of the housing 11, and outthrough the screen 16.

[0023] The illustrated embodiment also includes a jet nozzle 18 or otherjet aperture located on the wall 12. The jet nozzle 18 is oriented todirect a jet into the housing 11 toward an exit channel 20 locatedopposite the housing from the jet nozzle 18. Access to the nozzle 18 iscontrolled by a valve 18 a, which is fluidly attached to a positivepressure source 28 (described in detail below).

[0024] Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, at the lower portion of thewall 12, the exit channel 20 extends away from the housing 11 oppositethe jet nozzle 18. An article-orienting unit 30 is located at the mouthof the exit channel 20 to singulate articles A entering the exit channel20. These components are described in detail hereinbelow.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, the exit channel 20 includes aprimary lumen 21 that extends downstream from the article-orienting unit30 to terminate at an outlet 22. The lumen 21 defines a downstream flowpath P therein. As used herein, the term “downstream” means thedirection that articles A travel in moving from the housing 11 to theoutlet 22. Conversely, the term “upstream” means the direction oppositethe downstream direction. It should be noted that, relative to anabsolute x-y-z coordinate axis system, these directions may shift asarticles A move in the exit channel 20 (for example, in the illustratedembodiment, the articles A move directly away from the housing 11, thenturn downwardly). The “longitudinal” dimension of a structure orcomponent is intended to be parallel with the downstream direction, andthe “transverse” dimension of a structure or component is intended to benormal to the downstream direction.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the lumen 21 has a cross-sectionthat permits the passage of only one article at a time; i.e., two ormore articles may not travel in the lumen 21 side-by-side. Preferably,the lumen has a cross-section that generally resembles, but is somewhatlarger than, that of the transverse cross-section of an article Atraveling in the lumen 21. For example, the lumen 21 of the channel 20can be sized to be generally rectangular in cross section, with a heightor width dimension slightly smaller than two minimum dimensions α of thearticles A (see FIGS. 4A and 4C) to prevent the simultaneous passage oftwo articles A.

[0027] A forward jet pressure chamber 24 and a rear pressure jet chamber25 are mounted to the exit channel 20. The forward jet pressure chamber24 is in fluid communication with the lumen 21 via a pair of forward jetapertures 26 a, 26 b, each of which is oriented at an angle (preferablybetween about 1 and 89 degrees, and more preferably between 5 and 50degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the lumen 21 such that ajet exiting the forward jet apertures 26 a, 26 b enhances flow in thelumen 21 toward the outlet 22. The rear pressure jet chamber 25 is influid communication with the lumen 21 via a rear jet aperture 27, whichis oriented at an angle (preferably between about 1 and 89 degrees, andmore preferably between 5 and 50 degrees) relative to the longitudinalaxis of the lumen 21 such that a jet exiting the rear jet aperture 27impedes flow in lumen 21 toward the outlet 22. In some embodiments, anyor all of the forwardly and rearwardly-directed apertures may bearranged in combinations of any number.

[0028] A common pressure source 28 is attached to each of the forwardand rear pressure jet chambers 24, 25 and, as noted above, the jetnozzle 18. The pressure is each chamber 24, 25, 18 is regulated by arespective valve 29 a, 29 b, 18 a. Those skilled in this art willrecognize that the pressure in each chamber 24, 25, 18, or in fact eachjet aperture 26 a, 26 b, 27, 18, may be controlled by a separatepressure source. Thus, it is to be understood that when separate“first”, “second”, “third” or even “fourth” pressure sources aredescribed, these pressure sources may be common (i.e., coincident)sources, or any or all of these may be separate sources.

[0029] An article sensor 23 is positioned near the outlet 22 and isconfigured to count passing articles A as they travel through the lumen21. Exemplary sensors include an opposing LED/photo-transistor pair andreflective, capacitive, or mechanical switches. A controller 40 isoperatively connected with the valves 29 a, 29 b, 18 a and with thesensor 23. The controller 40 causes the valves 29 a, 29 b, 18 a to openor close depending on the number of articles A that have been counted bythe sensor 23 at any particular point in time. The controller 40 can beany number of controller units known to those skilled in this art asbeing suitable for receiving signals from the sensor 23 and transmittingoperating signals to the valves 29 a, 29 b, 18 a; an exemplarycontroller is the 87518-bit micro controller, available from Intel. Itshould be recognized that the controller 40 may be connected directly tothe pressure source 28 (or any other pressure sources in embodiments inwhich multiple pressure sources are employed) to activate them directlyrather than operating the valves.

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, the article-orienting unit 30 has apair of generally parallel, spaced panels 31 a, 31 b and a third panel32 that is generally perpendicular to the panels 31 a, 31 b. Thedownstream ends of these panels 31 a, 31 b, 32 abut the mouth of theexit channel 20 and their upstream ends extend slightly upstream intothe housing 11. One skilled in the art will recognize that thedownstream ends of one or all of the aforementioned panels may extendmost or all the entire length of the lumen 21, ensuring that only onearticle A at a time may pass therein. The panels 31 a, 31 b are spacedapart a distance a, and the panel 32 is spaced from an upstream portion20 a of the exit channel 20 a distance b, thereby defining an entryspace E of the dimensions a×b for the articles A. The article-orientingunit 30 is particularly suited for the singulation of articles A thatare oblong or oblate, with a longest longitudinal dimension β, ashortest transverse dimension α, and an intermediate transversedimension δ that is greater than α but less than or equal to β (seeFIGS. 4A-4C).

[0031] In one embodiment, the distance a is greater than α but less thanthe smaller of δ and two times α. In this embodiment, the distance b isgreater than δ but less than the smaller of β and two times δ. In thisconfiguration, the articles A can fit in the entry space E in only oneorientation (that shown in FIG. 5A, in which the dimension α isgenerally parallel to the distance a). In another embodiment, thedistance a is greater than α and δ, but is less than two times α. Inthis second embodiment, the distance b is greater than δ but is lessthan the smaller of β and two times α. In this configuration, thearticle A can fit in the entry space E in any orientation in which β isperpendicular to the distances a, b of the entry space E.

[0032] Those skilled in this art will recognize that otherconfigurations for singulating articles may be suitable. The design anddimensions of an alternative article-orienting unit should be chosen toprevent more than one article A entering the exit channel 20 at once.Furthermore, objects whose three dimensions are substantially equal(i.e. spheres) will also pass through the orienting device achieving thedesired singulation. Exemplary articles include comestibles such ascandies and breath mints, machine components sucha as bolts, nuts andother fasteners, valuables such as diamonds and other gemstones,vitamins, and the like. It may also be understood that anarticle-orienting device may be attached at the outlet 22, with theresult that the device 10 may singulate in both directions.

[0033] In operation, the device 10 begins with the valves 29 a, 29 b ofthe forward and rear jet chambers 24, 25 closed (as directed by thecontroller 40), such that the pressure source 28 does not provide jetsthrough the jet apertures 26 a, 26 b, 27 or through the jet aperture 18a (see FIG. 3A and Block 200 of FIG. 8). The blower 17 is activated andcreates a low-level negative pressure with respect to ambient airpressure, causing ambient air to be drawn into the housing 11 throughthe bottom screen 15 and onto the articles A, thereby suspending(agitating or fluidizing) them. The air then passes out through the topscreen 16 and past the blower 17. This agitation gives the articles Afluid flow characteristics within the housing 11 (Block 210). Theindividual articles A travel randomly about the interior of the housing11, or can be made to mimic specific fluid flow patterns if desired. Inaddition, airflow is established from the exterior of the device 10backward through the exit channel 20, inward to the housing 11, and outthe top screen 16 to the blower 17. This airflow pattern preventsarticles A from spilling out of the housing 11 into the exit channel 20.

[0034] Those skilled in this art will recognize that other techniquesfor preparing articles for singulation may also be employed with thepresent invention. For example, articles in the housing may bemechanically agitated through known techniques.

[0035] When the controller 40 requests the dispensing and counting ofarticles, the controller 40 signals the forward jet chamber valve 29 ato open, and a forwardly-directed air jet is generated through theforward jet apertures 26 a, 26 b (see FIG. 3B and Block 220 of FIG. 8).This activity creates a net outward flow of air from the housing 11through the exit channel 20. Preferably, the jets apply a pressure ofbetween about 1 and 500 pounds per square inch into the exit channel 20.One skilled in the art will recognize that a number of differentvariable pressure control methods may be used for a given pressure pulsethrough a jet, depending on the effect desired (for example to match theimpedance of the object in the channel), including simple square waves,sawtooth, sinusoidal, or complex pressure waveforms. In addition, thecontroller 40 may signal the valve 18 a to open so that the jet nozzle18 emits a jet (preferably of about 1 to 500 psi) that urges articlestoward and through the exit channel 20 (Block 230 of FIG. 8). In thecase where 26 and 27 are only used a vacuum is induced at the entryspace E, with the result that articles A within the influence of thisinduced airflow are drawn to the article-orienting unit 30. In the casewhere only the jet nozzle 18 is used, the high-speed air impinging onthe object propels it towards and through the exit channel. Of courseone skilled in the art will realize that jets 26 and 18 may be used inconcert.

[0036] As the articles A are drawn to the entry space E at the entranceto the exit channel 20, their orientation determines whether they areable to travel through the article-orienting unit 30. If an article A isoriented generally parallel to the air flow path with its shortestdimension α generally parallel with dimension a of the entry space E(see FIG. 5A), it is able to fit between the panels 31 a, 31 b, thepanel 32 and the channel wall 20 a and is, therefore, free to travelinto the exit channel 20. If an article A is oriented perpendicular tothe air flow path and generally parallel to panel 32 (see FIG. 5B), itstrikes the upstream ends of the panels 31 a, 31 b (and therefore cannotenter the exit channel 20) and rebounds back into the housing 11 to befurther agitated. If an article A is oriented perpendicular to the airflow path and parallel to the panels 31 a, 31 b (see FIG. 5C), one endof the article A can strike either the panel 32 or the wall 20 a of theexit channel 20 (as is illustrated in FIG. 5C). Contact with the panel32 or of the wall 20 a causes the article A to rotate about 90 degreesto a position parallel to the air flow path, thereby automaticallyorienting the article A such that it is free to enter the exit channel20.

[0037] Notably, the article-orienting unit 30 is sized and configured sothat only one article A can pass through the article-orienting unit 30at a time. Consequently, articles A enter the exit channel as an endwise(or edgewise), single-file stream.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3B, once an article A passes into the exitchannel 20 (Block 240 of FIG. 8), the air flow velocity induced by thejet exiting the forward jet aperture 26 a increases and thus the articleA tends to accelerate with that airflow (Block 250 of FIG. 8). Furtheralong the exit channel 20, the article A encounters that jet directlyand so achieves a higher acceleration. Still further downstream in theexit channel 20, the article A encounters the second jet exiting theforward jet aperture 26 b and experiences even higher acceleration.Through each of these stages, the interval between successive articles Ais increased. Those skilled in the art will recognize that operatingwith only one forward jet may achieve adequate results.

[0039] As the articles A continue through the exit channel 20, they passthe sensor 23, where the articles A are detected and counted (Block 260of FIG. 8). The increased interval created by the multiple accelerationstages encourages accurate counting of the articles A. Also, theinability of the exit channel 20 to permit the passage of more than onearticle A at a time at any single point in the exit channel 20 (i.e.,the articles A cannot pass “side-by-side” through the exit channel 20)also assists the sensor 23 in distinguishing one article A from thenext. The sensor 23 signals the controller 40 with the passage of eacharticle A so that the controller 40 can count the number of articles Athat have passed thereby and compare that number to a predeterminednumber (Block 270 of FIG. 8). Those skilled in this art will recognizethat, although it is preferred that the sensor 23 be positioneddownstream of the forwardly-directed jet apertures 26 a, 26 b, otherlocations for the sensor 23 on the exit channel 20 may also be suitablefor use with the present invention, and that more than one sensor may beused.

[0040] After the articles A have passed the outlet 22, they eventuallyreach a point that they are no longer under the influence of the jetflows or low-pressure flow. They are then free to travel to a receivingcontainer (not shown).

[0041] The process described above continues until the controller 40determines that a predetermined number of articles has passed the sensor23, at which point the controller 40 signals the valve 29 a to close,which deactivates the forward jets (Block 280 of FIG. 8), and signalsthe valve 29 b to open to generate a reverse jet from the rear jetaperture 27 (see FIG. 3C and Block 290 of FIG. 8). The controller 40also signals the valve 18 a if present to close in order to cease theproduction of the jet from the nozzle 18. The momentum of the articles Athat have passed the sensor 23 propels them out of the exit channel 20and into the receiving container. Articles A that have not yet reachedthe sensor 23, however, reverse direction due to the reverse flowcreated by both the reverse jet and the sub-ambient pressure generatedby the blower 17. Consequently, they return to the housing 11 throughthe article-orienting unit 30 (aided by the fact that the cross-sectionof the lumen 21 of the exit channel 20 prevents the articles A fromre-orienting). This reversal of direction of the articles A is alsoassisted by the interval created by the multiple acceleration stagesdescribed earlier. In some embodiments, the housing 11 may even befilled with articles A through the outlet 22 via the suction provided bythe blower 17 and the rearward jet 27.

[0042] Another aspect of this invention is that it some instances it mayoperate adequately without the orienting device. In this case, thecontroller 40 may be used to detect jams at the entrance to the exitchannel (by dint of the lack of passage signals at sensor 23) and so theforward and reverse jets may be pulsed off and on to clear the jam.Typically, this is will reduce the overall speed of the system but thatmay be an acceptable trade in certain applications.

[0043] Those skilled in this art will recognize that other designs forcomponents of the device 10 may be suitable for use with the presentinvention. For example, the article-orienting unit 30′ may take theconfiguration of that illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, which lacks aplate 32. Also suitable is the configuration of an article-orientingunit 100 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The article-orienting unit 100includes a pair of hinged panels 110 that pivot about a pivot axis 111that is parallel with the flow axis of the exit channel 20. The hingedpanels 110 and the wall 20 a of the exit channel 20 define an entryspace E′ that is generally wedge-shaped and that can, depending on theshape of the article A, only permit a single article A to passtherethrough at a time, and to do so in a preferred orientation. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that the downstream ends of the panels110 may extend most or all the entire length of the lumen 21. Oneadvantage of this configuration is the capability of one or both of thepanels 110 to pivot relative to one another to adjust the size of theentry space available to the article A, thereby enabling the device 100to be used on batches of articles that vary in size from batch to batch.

[0044] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention, and isnot to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodimentsof this invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined inthe claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, withequivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A device for singulating articles from abulk supply of such articles, comprising: a housing for holding articlesto be singulated; an exit channel fluidly connected to the housing andconfigured in cross-section to permit the passage of a single article ata time, the exit channel including a forwardly-directed jet aperture anda rearwardly directed jet aperture being located upstream of theforwardly directed aperture; a first positive pressure source fluidlyconnected to the forwardly-directed jet; a second positive pressuresource fluidly connected to the rearwardly-directed jet; and acontroller operatively connected with the first and second positivepressure sources that selectively controls the application of positivepressure to the forwardly-directed jet apertures.
 2. The device definedin claim 1, further comprising a sensor operatively associated with thecontroller that detects articles passing through the exit channel. 3.The device defined in claim 1, further comprising a secondforwardly-directed jet aperture located downstream of therearwardly-directed aperture, the forwardly-directed aperture beingfluidly connected with a third positive pressure source and with thecontroller.
 4. The device defined in claim 3, wherein the first, secondand third positive pressure sources are coincident.
 5. The devicedefined in claim 1, wherein the first and second positive pressuresources are coincident.
 6. The device defined in claim 1, wherein thehousing includes a jet aperture directed toward the exit channel, thejet being fluidly connected to a fourth positive pressure source, thefourth positive pressure source being operatively connected to thecontroller.
 7. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the housingincludes a floor and an opposing ceiling, and wherein the floor includesa first foraminous member and the ceiling includes a second foraminousmember.
 8. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising anarticle-orienting member positioned upstream of the exit channel.
 9. Thedevice defined in claim 1, wherein said first positive pressure sourceand said forwardly-directed jet aperture are configured to direct a jetof between about 1 and 500 psi into the exit channel.
 10. The devicedefined in claim 1, wherein said second positive pressure source andsaid rearwardly-directed jet aperture are configured to direct a jet ofbetween about 1 and 500 psi into the exit channel.
 11. The devicedefined in claim 6, wherein the housing jet aperture and the fourthpositive pressure source are configured to directed a jet of betweenabout 1 and 500 psi toward the exit channel.
 12. The device defined inclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of substantially identicalarticles to be singulated, the articles being stored in the housing. 13.An article-orienting singulating device, comprising: a housing; an exitchannel attached to and fluidly connected with the housing; anarticle-orienting unit that includes a pair of panels, each of whichincludes an upstream end and a downstream end, positioned with theirdownstream ends adjacent an upstream portion of the exit channel; andwherein the pair of panels and the exit channel upstream portion definean entry space that permits an oblong article to enter only in alongitudinal orientation in which the longest dimension thereof isgenerally parallel to a downstream flow path; and wherein the pair ofpanels and the exit channel upstream portion are spaced such that anoblong article that enters the entry space in a transverse orientationin which its longest dimension is generally perpendicular to thedownstream flow path and that strikes the exit channel upstream portionis caused to re-orient itself to a longitudinal orientation and passinto the exit channel.
 14. The article-orienting singulating devicedefined in claim 13, wherein the panels are generally parallel with eachother.
 15. The article-orienting singulating device defined in claim 14,further comprising a third panel extending between the panels upstreamof the exit channel.
 16. The article-orienting singulating devicedefined in claim 13, wherein the panels are pivotally attached to eachother such that pivotal movement of the panels relative to one anothervaries the configuration of the entry space.
 17. The article-orientingsingulating device defined in claim 13, further comprising a pluralityof substantially identical articles to be singulated, the articles beingstored in the housing.
 18. The article-orienting singulating devicedefined in claim 17, wherein the articles are generally oblong and havea longitudinal dimension, a first transverse dimension and a secondtransverse dimension that is less than the longitudinal dimension andgreater than the first transverse dimension, and wherein the entry spaceis defined by a first distance and a second distance larger than andperpendicular to the first distance, and wherein the first distance isgreater than the first transverse dimension and less than the smaller ofthe second transverse dimension and two times the first transversedimension, and the second distance is greater than the second transversedimension and less than the smaller of the longitudinal dimension andtwo times the second transverse dimension, such that articles may passinto the exit channel through the article-orienting unit one at a timein a longitudinal orientation in which the first transverse dimension isgenerally parallel with the first distance, and the second transversedimension is generally parallel with the second distance.
 19. Thearticle-orienting singulating device defined in claim 17, wherein thearticles are generally oblong and have a longitudinal dimension, a firsttransverse dimension and a second transverse dimension that is less thanthe longitudinal dimension and greater than the first transversedimension, and wherein the entry space is defined by a first distanceand a second distance larger than and perpendicular to the firstdistance, and wherein the first distance is greater than the secondtransverse dimension and less than the smaller of the longitudinaldimension and two times the first transverse dimension, and the seconddistance is greater than the second transverse dimension and less thanthe smaller of the longitudinal dimension and two times the firsttransverse dimension, such that articles may pass through thearticle-orienting device into the exit channel one at a time in multiplelongitudinal orientations
 20. The article-orienting singulating devicedefined in claim 17, wherein the exit channel is sized and configuredsuch that only one article can pass through any cross-section thereof ata time.
 21. A device for singulating articles from a bulk supply of sucharticles, comprising: a housing for holding articles to be singulated;an exit channel fluidly connected to the housing and configured incross-section to permit the passage of a single article at a time; a jetaperture positioned in the housing and directed toward the exit channel;a positive pressure source fluidly connected to the jet aperture; and acontroller operatively connected to the positive pressure source thatselectively controls the application of positive pressure to the jetaperture.
 22. The device defined in claim 20, wherein the housingincludes a floor and an opposing ceiling, and wherein the floor includesa first foraminous member and the ceiling includes a second foraminousmember, and further comprising an air flow source that draws air intothe housing through the first foraminous member and out of the housingthrough the second foraminous member.
 23. The device defined in claim21, further comprising a plurality of substantially identical articlesto be singulated, wherein application of the air flow source causes thearticles to be suspended within the housing.
 24. A method of singulatingitems of substantially identical size and configuration from a bulk ofsuch items stored in a housing, comprising the steps of: providing asingulating device comprising a housing and an exit channel fluidlyconnected thereto, the exit channel defining a flow path; applying aforwardly-directed jet into the exit channel; passing a series ofarticles in single file into the exit channel; accelerating articles inthe exit channel with the forwardly-directed jet; counting the number ofarticles that pass a predetermined point in the exit channel; comparingthe number of articles that have passed the predetermined point with apredetermined number; and applying a rearwardly-directed jet into theexit channel after a predetermined number of articles have passed thepredetermined point to draw any additional articles in the exit channelback into the housing.
 25. The method defined in claim 24, furthercomprising the step of applying a jet within the housing toward the exitchamber to encourage the travel of articles toward the exit chamber. 26.The method defined in claim 24, further comprising the step ofdeactivating the forwardly-directed jet when the predetermined number ofarticles is reached.
 27. The method defined in claim 24, furthercomprising the step of passing air through the housing to suspend thearticles stored therein prior to the passing step.
 28. The methoddefined in claim 24, further comprising the steps of pulsing at leastone of the forwardly-directed jet and the rearwardly-directed jet toclear a jam in the exit channel.